used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Gordon hesitated a little time before the mirror in his bedroom at the hotel, the razor poised in his hand, his cheeks crisp with lather.
perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading There is no more solemn act undertaken by man than destruction of such facial landmarks (if the term be allowed) as are represented by cultivated hair.
past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading There is no more solemn act undertaken by man than destruction of such facial landmarks (if the term be allowed) as are represented by cultivated hair.
amazingadjectiveUS /əˈmeɪzɪŋ/
surprising greatly
From this reading There is something so irrevocable, so tremendous in self-destruction of whiskers, that it is amazing so few great poets have utilised the theme.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There is no more solemn act undertaken by man than destruction of such facial landmarks (if the term be allowed) as are represented by cultivated hair.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading There is no more solemn act undertaken by man than destruction of such facial landmarks (if the term be allowed) as are represented by cultivated hair.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Gordon hesitated a little time before the mirror in his bedroom at the hotel, the razor poised in his hand, his cheeks crisp with lather.
attackedverbUS /əˈtækt/
past form of “attack” — launch an attack or assault on; begin hostilities or start warfare with
From this reading Setting his jaw, Gordon attacked with a firm hand, the bright blade flashed in the pale sunlight ... the deed was done.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading There is no more solemn act undertaken by man than destruction of such facial landmarks (if the term be allowed) as are represented by cultivated hair.
a room used primarily for sleeping
From this reading Gordon hesitated a little time before the mirror in his bedroom at the hotel, the razor poised in his hand, his cheeks crisp with lather.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Gordon hesitated a little time before the mirror in his bedroom at the hotel, the razor poised in his hand, his cheeks crisp with lather.
bladenounUS /bleɪd/
especially a leaf of grass or the broad portion of a leaf as distinct from the petiole
From this reading Setting his jaw, Gordon attacked with a firm hand, the bright blade flashed in the pale sunlight ... the deed was done.
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading Setting his jaw, Gordon attacked with a firm hand, the bright blade flashed in the pale sunlight ... the deed was done.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading There is no more solemn act undertaken by man than destruction of such facial landmarks (if the term be allowed) as are represented by cultivated hair.
plural of “cheek” — either side of the face below the eyes
From this reading Gordon hesitated a little time before the mirror in his bedroom at the hotel, the razor poised in his hand, his cheeks crisp with lather.
free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits
From this reading Rubbing his face clean of lather, he gazed in surprise at the result.
crispadjectiveUS /krɪsp/
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined
From this reading Gordon hesitated a little time before the mirror in his bedroom at the hotel, the razor poised in his hand, his cheeks crisp with lather.
cultivatedadjectiveUS /ˈkʌltəveɪtɪd/
(of land or fields) prepared for raising crops by plowing or fertilizing
From this reading There is no more solemn act undertaken by man than destruction of such facial landmarks (if the term be allowed) as are represented by cultivated hair.
a legal document signed and sealed and delivered to effect a transfer of property and to show the legal right to possess it
From this reading Setting his jaw, Gordon attacked with a firm hand, the bright blade flashed in the pale sunlight ... the deed was done.
the termination of something by causing so much damage to it that it cannot be repaired or no longer exists
From this reading There is no more solemn act undertaken by man than destruction of such facial landmarks (if the term be allowed) as are represented by cultivated hair.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading Setting his jaw, Gordon attacked with a firm hand, the bright blade flashed in the pale sunlight ... the deed was done.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Rubbing his face clean of lather, he gazed in surprise at the result.
facialnounUS /ˈfeɪʃəl/
cranial nerve that supplies facial muscles
From this reading There is no more solemn act undertaken by man than destruction of such facial landmarks (if the term be allowed) as are represented by cultivated hair.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading There is something so irrevocable, so tremendous in self-destruction of whiskers, that it is amazing so few great poets have utilised the theme.
marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
From this reading Setting his jaw, Gordon attacked with a firm hand, the bright blade flashed in the pale sunlight ... the deed was done.
past form of “flash” — gleam or glow intermittently
From this reading Setting his jaw, Gordon attacked with a firm hand, the bright blade flashed in the pale sunlight ... the deed was done.
past form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading Rubbing his face clean of lather, he gazed in surprise at the result.
Gordon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gordon hesitated a little time before the mirror in his bedroom at the hotel, the razor poised in his hand, his cheeks crisp with lather.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading There is something so irrevocable, so tremendous in self-destruction of whiskers, that it is amazing so few great poets have utilised the theme.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading There is no more solemn act undertaken by man than destruction of such facial landmarks (if the term be allowed) as are represented by cultivated hair.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading Gordon hesitated a little time before the mirror in his bedroom at the hotel, the razor poised in his hand, his cheeks crisp with lather.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading There is something so irrevocable, so tremendous in self-destruction of whiskers, that it is amazing so few great poets have utilised the theme.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Rubbing his face clean of lather, he gazed in surprise at the result.
past form of “hesitate” — pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness
From this reading Gordon hesitated a little time before the mirror in his bedroom at the hotel, the razor poised in his hand, his cheeks crisp with lather.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Gordon hesitated a little time before the mirror in his bedroom at the hotel, the razor poised in his hand, his cheeks crisp with lather.
a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services
From this reading Gordon hesitated a little time before the mirror in his bedroom at the hotel, the razor poised in his hand, his cheeks crisp with lather.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading There is no more solemn act undertaken by man than destruction of such facial landmarks (if the term be allowed) as are represented by cultivated hair.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Gordon hesitated a little time before the mirror in his bedroom at the hotel, the razor poised in his hand, his cheeks crisp with lather.
irrevocableadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈrevəkəbəl/
incapable of being retracted or revoked
From this reading There is something so irrevocable, so tremendous in self-destruction of whiskers, that it is amazing so few great poets have utilised the theme.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There is no more solemn act undertaken by man than destruction of such facial landmarks (if the term be allowed) as are represented by cultivated hair.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading There is something so irrevocable, so tremendous in self-destruction of whiskers, that it is amazing so few great poets have utilised the theme.
jawverbUS /dʒɔː/
talk socially without exchanging too much information
From this reading Setting his jaw, Gordon attacked with a firm hand, the bright blade flashed in the pale sunlight ... the deed was done.
landmarksnounUS /ˈlændmɑːrks/
plural of “landmark” — the position of a prominent or well-known object in a particular landscape
From this reading There is no more solemn act undertaken by man than destruction of such facial landmarks (if the term be allowed) as are represented by cultivated hair.
lathernounUS /ˈlæðər/
the froth produced by soaps or detergents
From this reading Gordon hesitated a little time before the mirror in his bedroom at the hotel, the razor poised in his hand, his cheeks crisp with lather.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Gordon hesitated a little time before the mirror in his bedroom at the hotel, the razor poised in his hand, his cheeks crisp with lather.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading There is no more solemn act undertaken by man than destruction of such facial landmarks (if the term be allowed) as are represented by cultivated hair.
mirrornounUS /ˈmɪrər/
polished surface that forms images by reflecting light
From this reading Gordon hesitated a little time before the mirror in his bedroom at the hotel, the razor poised in his hand, his cheeks crisp with lather.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading There is no more solemn act undertaken by man than destruction of such facial landmarks (if the term be allowed) as are represented by cultivated hair.
not any; not one
From this reading There is no more solemn act undertaken by man than destruction of such facial landmarks (if the term be allowed) as are represented by cultivated hair.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There is no more solemn act undertaken by man than destruction of such facial landmarks (if the term be allowed) as are represented by cultivated hair.
very light colored; highly diluted with white
From this reading Setting his jaw, Gordon attacked with a firm hand, the bright blade flashed in the pale sunlight ... the deed was done.
poetsnounUS /ˈpoʊəts/
plural of “poet” — a writer of poems (the term is usually reserved for writers of good poetry)
From this reading There is something so irrevocable, so tremendous in self-destruction of whiskers, that it is amazing so few great poets have utilised the theme.
poisedadjectiveUS /pɔɪzd/
marked by balance or equilibrium and readiness for action
From this reading Gordon hesitated a little time before the mirror in his bedroom at the hotel, the razor poised in his hand, his cheeks crisp with lather.
razornounUS /ˈreɪzər/
edge tool used in shaving
From this reading Gordon hesitated a little time before the mirror in his bedroom at the hotel, the razor poised in his hand, his cheeks crisp with lather.
representedadjectiveUS /ˌreprɪˈzentɪd/
represented accurately or precisely
From this reading There is no more solemn act undertaken by man than destruction of such facial landmarks (if the term be allowed) as are represented by cultivated hair.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading Rubbing his face clean of lather, he gazed in surprise at the result.
RubbingnounUS /ˈrʌbɪŋ/
the resistance encountered when one body is moved in contact with another
From this reading Rubbing his face clean of lather, he gazed in surprise at the result.
self-destructionnounUS /ˈselfdɪˈstrʌkts/
the act of killing yourself
From this reading There is something so irrevocable, so tremendous in self-destruction of whiskers, that it is amazing so few great poets have utilised the theme.
the context and environment in which something is set
From this reading Setting his jaw, Gordon attacked with a firm hand, the bright blade flashed in the pale sunlight ... the deed was done.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading There is something so irrevocable, so tremendous in self-destruction of whiskers, that it is amazing so few great poets have utilised the theme.
dignified and somber in manner or character and committed to keeping promises
From this reading There is no more solemn act undertaken by man than destruction of such facial landmarks (if the term be allowed) as are represented by cultivated hair.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading There is something so irrevocable, so tremendous in self-destruction of whiskers, that it is amazing so few great poets have utilised the theme.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading There is no more solemn act undertaken by man than destruction of such facial landmarks (if the term be allowed) as are represented by cultivated hair.
the rays of the sun
From this reading Setting his jaw, Gordon attacked with a firm hand, the bright blade flashed in the pale sunlight ... the deed was done.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading Rubbing his face clean of lather, he gazed in surprise at the result.
a word or expression used for some particular thing
From this reading There is no more solemn act undertaken by man than destruction of such facial landmarks (if the term be allowed) as are represented by cultivated hair.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading There is no more solemn act undertaken by man than destruction of such facial landmarks (if the term be allowed) as are represented by cultivated hair.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading There is something so irrevocable, so tremendous in self-destruction of whiskers, that it is amazing so few great poets have utilised the theme.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Gordon hesitated a little time before the mirror in his bedroom at the hotel, the razor poised in his hand, his cheeks crisp with lather.
themenounUS /θiːm/
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading There is something so irrevocable, so tremendous in self-destruction of whiskers, that it is amazing so few great poets have utilised the theme.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There is no more solemn act undertaken by man than destruction of such facial landmarks (if the term be allowed) as are represented by cultivated hair.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Gordon hesitated a little time before the mirror in his bedroom at the hotel, the razor poised in his hand, his cheeks crisp with lather.
extraordinarily large in size or extent or amount or power or degree
From this reading There is something so irrevocable, so tremendous in self-destruction of whiskers, that it is amazing so few great poets have utilised the theme.
undertakenverbUS /ˈʌndərteɪkən/
inflected form of “undertake” — enter upon an activity or enterprise
From this reading There is no more solemn act undertaken by man than destruction of such facial landmarks (if the term be allowed) as are represented by cultivated hair.
utilisedadjective
put to use
From this reading There is something so irrevocable, so tremendous in self-destruction of whiskers, that it is amazing so few great poets have utilised the theme.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Setting his jaw, Gordon attacked with a firm hand, the bright blade flashed in the pale sunlight ... the deed was done.
whiskersnounUS /ˈwɪskərz/
the hair growing on the lower part of a man's face
From this reading There is something so irrevocable, so tremendous in self-destruction of whiskers, that it is amazing so few great poets have utilised the theme.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Gordon hesitated a little time before the mirror in his bedroom at the hotel, the razor poised in his hand, his cheeks crisp with lather.
